COLOUR
White
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2025
GRAPE
Sauvignon Blanc
PRODUCER
Stark-Condé Wines
REGION
Western Cape
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
High
Finish
Long
Intensity
Pronounced
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Proprietor José Conde admits to having a complicated relationship with Sauvignon Blanc, often finding South African expressions too green or simplistic. To counter this, Stark-Condé set out to craft a food-friendly, age-worthy style focused on texture, weight, and site-specific purity. Sourced from the high-altitude 'Round Mountain' block on the Oude Nektar farm in the Jonkershoek Valley, this single-vineyard wine represents a sophisticated, organic approach to the variety. The name 'Round Mountain' is also a playful nod to the Japanese maiden name of José's mother-in-law, 'Maruyama', which translates to the same meaning.
ALCOHOL
13.0%
AVG. PRICE
€18
STYLE
Classic
VEGAN
YES
SULPHITES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
10-12°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
The name 'Round Mountain' is a play on 'Maruyama', the Japanese maiden name of proprietor José Conde's mother-in-law.
Fact 02
Sourced from a single organic vineyard block planted in 1994, with vines averaging 31 years old for the 2025 harvest.
Fact 03
Awarded 94 points by Tim Atkin MW in his 2026 South Africa Special Report.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The grapes are hand-harvested early in the morning to preserve natural acidity and prevent oxidation. After pressing and natural settling, the juice is racked slightly 'dirty' directly into French oak barrels (5% new, 95% older neutral casks) where fermentation takes place. While malolactic fermentation is not actively encouraged, a small portion occurs naturally to round out the palate. The wine is then matured for 9 months on its fine yeast lees (sur lie) with partial batonnage (lees stirring) to build mid-palate weight and texture before bottling.
